Weight Loss and Hypnosis: This is finally the key to success!
NB: This post has had to be temporarily deindexed. Another site has copied the original text and used it as the meta description for a sales website.
The site in question is selling a so-called ‘natural weight loss’ product.
Hypnosis and Weight Loss: An Introduction
Introduction and Statistics on Hypnosis and Weight Loss
Hypnotherapy is becoming an increasingly acceptable tool to help with all aspects of self improvement. Hypnosis can help to teach us how to rethink bad habits and the negative ways we subconsciously think about our selves, including our weight and and our relationship to diet (food intake) and lifestyle (exercise plans).
Firstly, it might help to know that if you struggle with your weight you are not alone. Indeed, The World Health Organization (WHO) states that obesity has doubled since 1980.
In 2014, there were more than 1.9 billion adults who are officially overweight and of those a further 600 million people could be classified as ‘obese’.
Equally as concerning, is the rise in the rate of childhood obesity. The WHO estimates that in the year 2013 42 million children were overweight or obese. Obesity in childhood leads to all sorts of health risks and social problems. Obese or overweight children may face years of struggle with their relationship to food and self image issues. Hypnotherapy could be an early intervention to address the problem of childhood obesity.
These are all people who may well greatly benefit from the therapeutic treatment of hypnosis.
Overweight, Obesity and Body Mass Index (BMI)
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines Obesity and Overweight as:-
“abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health”
Body Mass Index (BMI) is a simple mathematical formula of weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared (kg/m2). BMI is a useful measurement to indicate if a person is underweight, overweight or obese.
The WHO defines
Overweight: A BMI greater than or equal to 25
Obese: A BMI greater than or equal to 30
To calculate your own BMI and how you compare with others, click here for Moose and Doc’s very own calculator.
Clinical Studies into Hypnosis and Weight-Loss
In this post we will examine the hypothesis that hypnotherapy is an effective treatment for weight loss. Many studies have been carried out regarding the use of hypnotherapy for weight loss.
A clinical study examined 109 subjects age 17 to 67 years old. All participants took part in a 9 week behavioural treatment program for weight loss. In addition, a selection of the study group had hypnotherapy as well.
After 9 weeks, when the program had finished, all subjects had lost a significant amount of weight. Long term however, the clients who received hypnotherapy in addition, lost more weight than the group on the diet and exercise program alone. Furthermore, most of the subjects who received hypnosis actually achieved and maintained their personal weight goal.
This study illustrates the complimentary role of hypnosis as the changing of behavioural patterns at a deeper level which facilitates making more long term change both effective and attainable.
Why aren’t there many studies into Hypnosis and Weight Loss
In 1999, Curtis estimated that Americans spent $33 billion dollars on weight loss services and products, true medical clinical studies on the use of hypnosis to aid with weight loss are comparatively few and far between.
Research indicates that hypnosis is an effective tool when used in conjunction with other weight loss treatments. However, very few studies have examined hypnosis for weight loss as a stand alone treatment.
The clinical studies so far show promising evidence that hypnosis can lead to behavioural changes that alter subconscious beliefs about food and exercise at a fundamental level.
In conclusion, dietary and lifestyle changes are always necessary to lose weight. However, hypnosis for weight loss can help make the changes a lot easier to make. Discover 8 easy steps to lose weight and then throw in some hypnotherapy and watch the pounds drop off.
Are Hypnosis apps Effective?
A clinical trial by Cochrane and Frieson in 1986 involved 60 women aged 20 to 65 years. The women were at least 20% overweight and not involved in any other treatment program. The participants were divided into two groups, those who had hypnosis and those who received hypnosis plus audiotapes.
The results showed that the additional audiotapes did not make too much difference but the primary hypothesis that hypnosis is an effective treatment for weight loss was confirmed.
When thinking about hypnosis and weight loss there is a vast array of hypnosis materials and apps for smartphones out there. It can be quite mind boggling for the disconcerted browser.
Furthermore, another recent research study by Sucala (et al.) reviewed 407 hypnosis apps and states that:-
“there is some evidence that hypnosis can help in treating some of the goals that the apps
were intended for such as distress, weight loss and pain management. “
However, the study concludes that there is no empirical evidence to support a lot of the other claims for hypnosis, for example, attracting a romantic partner. Obviously, some of the unsupported claims regarding hypnotherapy impact on the hypnosis apps that have been developed, and are effective for, a psychotherapeutic purpose.
The problem is that this whole field of hypnosis material is unregulated and it is misleading to present hypnosis apps as a panacea.
Recommendations for Hypnosis Apps
The study made several recommendations to help the public muddle through the vast amount of hypnosis apps out there.
Sucala et al. recommend that all future hypnosis apps are based upon empirical evidence (i.e some sort of peer-reviewed clinical trial) to indicate that hypnosis is effective for the proposed goal.
The study concludes that the ‘gold standard’ would be a randomized controlled trial supporting the efficacy of each hypnosis app.
Some larger health sites on the internet agree with the assertion that there are not enough clinical trials to effectively assess the use of hypnosis and weight loss:
“There’s only limited research evidence that hypnotherapy may help some people
to lose weight and to quit smoking, so we can’t be certain of its benefit”.
NHS Choices
“….it’s hard to say definitively because there isn’t enough solid scientific
evidence about weight-loss hypnosis alone”.
Mayo Clinic
Conclusion
In conclusion, despite the fact that hypnotherapy has shown some very positive results in clinical studies, it still has not received the attention that it deserves regarding the worldwide problem of obesity and the increasing health costs associated with this. Hypnosis and weight loss is one area that could really use some scientific research – it is free, easy and effective.
Furthermore, any treatment that may prove effective, either as a stand alone therapy or in combination with other programs has to be worth some serious research.
“I’ve recommended hypnotherapy to help ease chronic pain, lessen the side effects of chemotherapy, alleviate symptoms of autoimmune disease, and counteract anxiety and sleep disorders. Hypnotherapy can also be used to improve performance skills, as a form of analgesia or sedation for medical and dental procedures–even to stop hemorrhaging in accident victims. In general, I believe that no condition is out of bounds for trying hypnotherapy on.”
Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D.
You may find you might like to read the script of an example of a really good Weight loss Hypnosis.
or ;
For further reading on Hypnosis and weight loss; as well as links to referenced publications on hypnotherapy and weight loss.
Remember that all of the articles on Halls.md are based on the most up-to-date medical research. If you are interested in getting some practical tips and advice about all the latest weight loss news as well as hypnosis and weight loss; then have a look below:-
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